Regulations

Unauthorized Drivers Look To Take Passengers On A Ride

If you're at the airport, watch out for sneaky Uber drivers (Photo: Unsplash user Victor Xok)

“These people are hostages in that car unless they pay what they’re told to pay,” said airport greeter Mark Glass.

Glass has made it his mission to identify and report these unauthorized taxis. Glass says some of the drivers have threatened him for exposing the airport hustle.

Four drivers in 45 minutes said they were “taxis” or rideshare services “like Uber and Lyft.” They insisted their state issued “livery” license plates or City of Chicago chauffer’s license allow them to solicit rides at the O’Hare and Midway airports.

However, city ordinance clearly states only pre-arranged rides are permissible at Chicago’s airports.

Paula DeBiasi, executive director of the Illinois Limousine & Bus Association and owner-operator of Chicago CoachWorks, talks with LCT contributing editor Jim Luff during the International LCT Show in March for insights on why associations are needed to protect operator livelihoods.

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